Internal-combustion engine



' Sept. 14 1926.

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in viuz-ri!! INVENTOR. SCHUYLER N. NOLAN.

.WITNESSES:

Sept. 14 1926.

' s. N. NOLAN INTERNAL ooMBusuoN ENGINE 2 sheets-sheet 2 N WNV 'INvENToR SCHUYLER N. NOLAN By:

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Patented Sept. 14, 19265.

saves aver r F I C E SCHUYLER N. NOIMAN,` OF RIVER FOREST, ILLINS.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTIN ENGINE.

Application filed April 16, 1923.

This invention relates to improvements in internal combustion engines.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple and eiiicient internal combustion engine of the four cycle type, employing two cylindrical sleeves, or similar elements, which perform the functions of valves.

Another object of my invention is to provide a mechanism of the character indicated,

wherein the stroke of the cylindrical sleeve valves is reduced to a minimum.

Still another lobject of the invention is to provide an internal combustion engine of the type indicated, wherein the cylinder head is provided with means co-acting with the sleeves adapted to overlap the ports in the sleeves, during the greater portion of the compression and expansion or explosion stroke of the piston, thereby preventing leakage and protecting the edges of the ports from the intense heat generated in the combustion space during the explosion stroke.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in an internal combustion engine of the character indicated, an arrangement whereby uniform cooling of the sleeves in the region of the ports is effected,` thereby preventing an uneven expansion or warping of the sleeves.

Another object of the invention is to provide an internal combustion engine having the cylinder thereof provided with intake and exhaust port openings for the greater portion of the circumference thereof; thereby obtaining the maximum capacity of intake and exhaust'openings.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will more clearly appear from thedescription and claims hereinafter following.

ln the drawings forming a part of this specification, Fig. 1 isa vertical sectional view through the cylinder of an engine illustrating one form of the invention. Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive are enlarged, detail, vertical sectional views of portions of the cylinder head and sleeves, taken at the left hand side of -lf s 1,-

illilS-tratiilg the nzioveinents Serial No. 632,212.

of and dili'erent positions assumed by the sleeves at different stages of the operation. Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 7, .illustrating a modified form. of sleeves. Figs. 9 and 10 arediagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the outer and inner sleeve-operating cranks, respectively. Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional View similar to Fig. 7, showing a further modification of sleeves. F ig. 12 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing the upper end of the cylinder, and illustrating another form of the invention. Figs. 13, lll, 15, y16 and 17 are enlarged, detail, vertical sectional views through portions of the cylinder, sleeves and cylinder head, at the left side of Fig. 12, illustrating the movements of and positions assumed by the sleeves, at different stages of the operation. 18 is a transverse horizontal sectional responding to the plane of the exhaust ports, and passing through the port openings in the sleeves. And Figs. 19, 20,21, 22 and 23 are diagrammatic views illustrating view through the cylinder and sleeves corthe different positions assumed by the cranks operating the inner and outer sleevesfduring the different stages of the operation illustrated in Figs. 13 to 17 inclusive, respectively.

The improved mechanism as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusive, comprisesa cylinder A; cylinder head B; piston C; connecting rod D; crank E; an outer sleeve F; an

inner sleeve G; valve connecting rods H and J and valve operating crank shaft K.

The cylinder A is fixed to the base portion of the engine, and is provided with diametrically opposite exhaust ports 1, and diametrically opposite in-take ports 2, the

ports 1 and 2 extending entirely around the i cylinder at the point of communication with the interior thereof as clearly shown in Fig. 18. The upper part of the cylinder A is provided with a surrounding water jacket as indicated at 12. A

The upper part of the cylinder A is closed by the head B which is provided with an inwardly projecting portion 9 having a combustion chamber 10 formed therein., The cylinder head B is water cooled by providing the same with a water jacket as indicated at 11, and is also provided with a threaded opening 18, communicating with the combustion chamber 10 and adapted to l receive. the usual, spark plug.,

As clearly shown in Fig. 1,` the projection 9is provided with spring,` rings let, and an annular space 19 1s left between the side wall of the projection 9 and the inner wall 1T ot' the cylinder for a purpose hereinafter described.

The piston C is of the usual construction and is adapted to reciprocate in the cylinder A, being' connected to the crank shaft E by means of the connecting` rod D.y

M'llhe sleeves F and G1 arel of cylindrical i'oringand are slidably movable within the cylinder ik, hav-ing their upper ends interposed betweenl the projection 9 on the cylinder head and the inner wall 17 ot the cylinder A by extending into'the space 19. As clearly shown n Fig. 1 the sleeve G isl teleseoped with-in the sleeve F, is of greater lengththan thelatte'r, andy isadapted to slidingly receive the'l piston'v Y C. Y

The outery sleeve F is reciprocated within the eylinderthrough the medium of the connectinfgfrod H,operated by the crank 16 of the crank shaft K The inner sleeve G, which adapted to reciprocate within the sleeve Fl, has thelow-er end` thereof extended beyon'dthe-same, and isoperated through thefmedium ofi the connectingrod J operated by the crank 15 of the crank shaft K. As Clearlyv showninFig1s; 1 to 7 inclusive, the sleeves Fand G are providedy with port openingsl Siand' 7 respectively, adapted to establish communication between the interior ott-he cylinder and the exhaust and iii-take ports, during thevoperationoi' the engine. 'll-he port openings 8' ot the sleeve F' extend around' the circumferencel thereoit, as shown in'v Fig; 18, thereby, obtaining-.the maximum capacity ot port opening. Each ot the pori openings` 8 is enlarged toward the inner side oit the sleeve, being provided with a top walll oomprisingtwo horizontal shoulders 20 andl'. in differentv planes, connected by an. inclined portion 22 and a bottom wall comprising` two horizontal shoulders 23 and 2li, inY different pla-nes, connected by an inclined portion 25, The portopenings 7 of the in ner sleeve G alseeatend around the circumference thereof`r therebyA providing1 a maximum amount ofport opening. Each ot the ports-7- isenlarged towards the outer side et .the sleeve G andis provided with af top wall comprising two`1 horizontal. shoulders 26, and 217;,'in dili'erent planes, connected by an inclined portion 28 andl a bottom comprising two horizontal shoulders-:29 and-30 in diiierent planes, connected by; an inclined` portion 31.

The crank `shalt K, through which theren ciprocating4 sleeves are-- operated,A is suitably geared? with the: main crankshaft E and drien at'onehalf olithe crank shaft speed.

The operation of myv improved' valve mechanism, asfillustra-ted in Fins: 1 to? in elusive', is as iellnws Art the beginn.in-ijfv ot mees/s the upward movement ot the piston C, during; the exhauststroke, the sleeves F and G are in the position shown in Fig. 2 with the shoulder 8O ot the opening 7 in alinement with'the lower tace ot the enlargement 9 of the cylinder head, and the shoulder 2O ot the opening,l 8 in the sleeve F, in alinement with the upper wall oi the exhaust port 1. Baring the upward movement of the piston C, in the exhaust stroke, thev cranks 16 and 15 oi the valve operating` crank shaft K will eil'ect movement ot the'sleevcs F and G in the directions indicated by the arrows in Figs. 2, 3 and Ll, the sleeve F moving upwardly duriirq` theinitial portion ot the ei:- haust stroke as indicated until the crank 15 reachesthe"vertical position, whereupon motion ofthe sleeve-F willberreversed, and the Came will move downwardly, as indicated by the arrow in Fig.) 3. During this: time the sleeve G willmove downwardly, andthe shoulder: 30 will move away from theprojection 9,' establishing communication between the exhaust port 1 and the interior of the cylinder, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. During the further upward movementy ofthe piston' the sleeves F and G will? be moved downwardly simultaneously, until the endoi the exhaust stroke is reachechwhen the` port 1 will be closed by the. shoulder 2O of the sleere F, as shown in Fig; 4 the shoulder 2G then being in alinement withtlie lower: edge oi the exhaust port'. At the end ofv thefeiihaus; strokeo't the' piston, the inner sleeve G will' have reached its lowermost position, and' upon further movement of the piston duringthe in-take stroke,.the sleeve G will he moved upwardly as indicated by thearrowA inFiQ; 5, the sleeve F continuing in its downward movement. As the sleeve F moves downwardly,the lower shoulder 23 of the opening 8 willpass below the upper wall oi thein-talre port 2', andestablish communicationbetween the latter andE theinterior oi the cylinder, as shownin- Fig. 5. During.further'movement of the piston in a downward direction, the sleeve G will continue tol move upwardly and the sleeve F downwardly, asV indicated by the arrows in Fig.V G. thereby increasing the capacity ot the intakeopeningr; lriovement of the-sleeve F will continue in a downward direction, until the piston reaches the end ot the intake stroke and begins-to travel upwardly.

Vwhen the sleeyesF and @will have reached a relative position, where the shoulders 24 and 25k thereof are. in alinement and cut ott communication between the-intake port and the interior Yoit' the cylinder. Duringthe subsequent upward move-ment of the piston while compression. taking place, nio-rement of the sleeve F will be--reversed andibotli-z ot thesleeves will beV moved upwardly simultaneously as clearly shown in` Fig. 7. Duithe further upwardf meveinent ot the sleeves F and G, the lower shoulder 30 of the port 7 ot the sleeve G will pass beyond thel lower face of the projection 9. As the sleeves travel upwardly during the remainder of the compression stroke, the portions ot the sleeves carrying the port openings 7 and 8 will be entirely protected by being housed within the recess 8. During the greater portion of the expansion stroke, the sleeves F and G will move downwardly to- `gether, until they again reach the approximate position shown in Fig. 2, with the lower shoulder 30 ot' the port 7 in the sleeve G in alinement with the lower tace ot the projection 9 on the cylinder head, and the described cycle ot' operations is repeated.

The movement of the sleeve operating cranks 15 and 16, during intake, compres sion, expansion and exhaust is graphically represented in Figs. 9 and 10, As shown in Fig. 9, the crank 16 which actuates the outer sleeve F is at position a when the en haust port begins to open, and the sleeves F andv G are in the position shown in 2. At the same instant,the crank 15, which actuates the sleeve G is in the position indi cated by e in Fig. 10. During exhaust, the crank 16 travels from ci to l; and the crank 15 travels from c to f, sleeves F and G traveling as indicated in Figs. 2, 3 and Ll. lhen the cranks 16 and 15 reach the positions l) and f, respectively, the exhaust port will be completely closed, andv the iii-take port is about to open. As the crank 16 travels from 7) to c, and the crank 15 travels from f to gi', iii-take occurs, and the sleeves F and G are operated as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. Then the cranks 16 and 15 reach the positions c and g, respectively, communication will be completely cut' olf between the intake port and the interior of the cylinder as shown in Fig. 7. During compression, the crank 16 will travel from c to al, and the crank 15 will travel. from g to 7i, the sleeves F and G traveling from the positions shown in 7 to the positions shown in Fig. 1. During expansion, the crank 15 will travel from d to a, and the crank 15 will travel from t to e, the sleeves F and G moving from the position shown in 1 to the position shown in Fig. 2. From the preceding description, and upon reference to Figs. 9 and 10. it will be evident that the sleeves F and G are moved upwardly simultaneously during the entire compression stroke, and that the portion of the inner sleeve G in which the port 7 islocated is within the annular recess 8 and between the projection of the cylinder head and the cylinder wall, during the entire time that the expansion takes place, thereby protecting the edges ot the ports from the intense heat created in the cylinder during combustion. As the cylinder head and cylinder are beth f water jacketed 'in the region of the opening 19, the sleeve G'will also be cooled adjacent to port 7 during this time. It will be further evident that as the ports 8 and 7, each serve, as both in-take and exhaust ports, the

ysleeves F and G will also be cooled adjacent that the outer sleeve M and the inner sleeve N, which correspond to the sleeves F and G respectively, are provided with ports 1.08 and 107 of a slightly different construction.

The port 108 of the sleeve M is provided i .with a horizontal bottom wall 50, and a top wall, comprising two horizontal shoulders 51 and 52, in different planes, `connected by .in inclined portion 53, the portion 52. being in a plane above theportion 51, thereby providing the port 108vwith a larger opening at the inner side of the sleeve than at the outer side thereof. The port 112 ot the sleeve N is provided with a horizontal top wall 54.-, and a bottom wall, comprising two horizontal shoulders 55 and 5G in diierent planes, connected-by an inclined portion 5i', the portion 56 being in a plane abovethe portion 55 whereby, the port 107 is provided with ar larger opening at the outer side ot' the sleeve N thanL at the inner side thereof.

The modified form shown in F 9 is in all respects similaito the form illustrated in Figs. 1 to 'r' inclusive, with the exception that the outersleeve P, which corresponds to the sleeve F, is provided with a port 208 having,r horizontal top and bottom walls. The inner sleeve R is in all respects similaito the sleeve G, and is provided with a port 207 also corresponding in all respects to the port 7. The relative position ot the sleeves M and N in Fig. 8 and the relative position of the sleeves P and R in Fig. 11, corresponds to thepositionof the sleeves F and G shown in Fig. 7, and the operation thereof is in all respects similar to the operation of the sleeves F and G of the torni ion of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 7 inclusivei The form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 12 to 17 inclusive and Figs. 19 to L3 inclusive comprises, a cylinder A; a cylinder head B; a piston C; an outer valve sleeve F and an inner valve sleeve` G; in all respects similar to the construction shown in Figs. 1Vto 47 inclusive, with the exception that the in-takeand exhaust ports of the cylinder `are reversed. As clearlyshown 'in lZthe-cylinder is provided with exhaust ports- Stil and iii-take ports 302, thel in-talre: ports-f beinggfpA located above the ez-:haust ports. The` sleeves F1 and G are provided with ports 308 and 3U? in all respects similar to the ports 8 and 7 of the-form of the invention shown' in Figs. l to 7 inclusive. lnlFigs. 1.9 to 23, the diilerent positions oi thev cranks which operate the outerand inner sleeves are dia- ,grainmatically represented, corresponding to the diiiei'ent stages oit the operation ot the valve mechanism as shown in Figs. 13 to 1'? inclusive, the crank indicatedbyv 316 correspendingl to the crank 16 and the crank indicated by 315 corresponding` to the-crank le; in Fig. 1'5- the sleeves: F and Gf" are shown inthe position assumed at the. instant the exhaust stroke ot thevpistoni begins. At this time the cranks 315 and 316 w-ill be in the positionf shown' in'Fig.l I9.- fhs the cranks rotate trom the position shown in Fig. 19 to the position: shown in Fig. 20, the outer sleeve F vrilllhrst mover downwardly a short distance, untilI the crank 31d passes the dead center, wliereupon it will begin to move upwardly until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 2O and the sleeve F assumes the position shown in Fig. 14:'. During this time the sleeve G will move downwardly as indicated bythe arrows, opening the exhaust port as it: moves, until the position shown inf Fig. la is assumed` thereby. As the cranks Bl and 315 travel' from the position in Fig. 20 tothe position in Fig. 2l., the sleeve F willv move upwardly to the position shown in Fig. l5, closing` the exhaust port 301.. rtthe same time movement of the sleeve G will be reversed, the same moving upwardly as indicated by the arrow. During the traveling of the cranks from the position shown in Fig". 2l to that shown in gg. 22;, iir-talfefwill begin, and theJ sleeves F and G will move upwardly in unison, the movement ot the sleeve F opening the iii-take yportf :2 as indicated in Fig. 16; Upon further movement ofthecranlis from the position shown in Fig. 22 to they positionf shown in Fig. 23, the sleeve G moving upwardly will cut oii communication beitween` thel iii-take port and the interior oi the cylinder by the shoulder i530 of the port 307 passing beyond: the lower face of the projectionl 309 ofl the cylinder head B. 1lfihen the crank` 316 reachesY the position shown in Fig. 23, the motion of the( sleeve F will be reversed and the same begins to move' downwardly. The sleeve F continues to move downwardly and again reaches the position shown in Fig. 131 The sleeveGi continues: to move upwardly'attereecting the' closingf'o theA iin-takeA port" until it reaches approximately the position shown in Fig.- 12 whenf movement thereof is reversed. At' this time Yexpansion.' begins, and the-sleeveG 'contiiiuesto travel` downwardly and' again reaches the position shown in Fig 1B, which is-theposition assumed just prior to the openingof the exhaust port.

From the foregoing' description, it will be` evidentthat the lower shoulder 830 of the port@ BOl-.cosoperates with the projection 3191033' the cylinder head to eli`ect both the opening` ot the exhaust port and the closing-of the in-tale port, that the lower shoulder 323 of the port opening 308 effects the closingr of theeXhaust port, that the slioulderSQ/Got theport-BGS eilects the openingl of the inf-take port, that the ports 316 and 315 are in communication in all positions assumed by the sleeves during their operation, and that both sleeves travel downwardly.and in the same direction as the piston during' the expansion stroke.

lt will also be evident that the port 30T protected from the intense heat created duringJ combustion by being interposed between the projection 319 onthe cylinder bead and the walll? of the cylinder, during the entire time that the expansion takes place, in a manner similar to that described in connection with the form of the invention illustratedv in Figs. l to 7 inclusive.

l have herein shown and d scribed what l now consider thepreferred manner of carrying` out the invention, .but the same is merely illustrative and l contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope off the claims'appended hereto.

l claim:

l. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a combustion chamber having iii-take and exhaust ports; of means for establishing and closing communication between said'ports and the interior of said chamber, said means includingl a pair oit movable elements, each provided with a port common to both iii-take and eXhaust, and a fixed member projecting` into said combustion chamber and co-acting,l with the port of one of said elements toV open and close the same; and means for operating said elements.

2. In: an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder, having; intake and exhaust ports.; ot a valve sleeve slidable within said cylinder, said sleeve having4 a port adapted to communicate alternately with the iin-take and exhaust ports; a second sleevetelescoped within said lirs't named sleeve and movable relatively thereto, said second named sleeve having a port common to both in-tale and exhaust; a wall fixedto the cylinderand project-ing into the seco-nd named sleeve and adapted to colact with the portthereot to establish communication between the interior of the cylinder and thefpert of the first named sleeve; and meansy tor operating said sleeves.

3". ln, an internal combustion engine, piro,- vided` with.:` a cylinder havingii-ntakerand exahaust ports, the combination with a cylindrical sleeve slidable within said cylinder and having a port common to both in-take and exhaust; of a second cylindrical sleeve slidable within the first named sleeve and provided with a port common to both intake and exhaust, and adapted to communicate with the port of said iirst named sleeve; means iixed to the cylinder projecting into the second named sleeve adapted to co-act with the port thereof to establish communication between the exhaust port and the interior of the cylinder and close communication between the in-take port and the interior of the cylinder; and means for operating said sleeves.

4l. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder having intake and exhaust ports; of a piston within said cylinder; inner and outer sleeve valves mounted to reciprocate within said cylin der, said sleeve valves having co-operating sets of ports adapted to be placed in communication with each other, and the port of the outer sleeve of each co-operating set of ports co-operating with both said intake and exhaust ports, the width of said ports in the sleeve valves being greater on their meeting faces than on their separated faces whereby the required strokes of said sleeve valves are reduced for a predetermined period ot communication between said ports.

5. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder having intake and exhaust ports; of a piston within said cylinder; a pair of sleeve valves mounted to reciprocate within said cyllinder, said sleeve valves having ports adapted to be placed in communication with each other and said intake and exhaust ports, each of said ports of one sleeve being greater in width on one side of the sleeve than on the other side thereof.

6. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder having intake and exhaust ports; oi' a piston within said cylinder; a pair of sleeve valves movably mounted within said cylinder, said sleeve valves having ports adapted to be placed in communication with each other and with the exhaust and intake ports of the cylinder, said port of each sleeve being of greater area on one side of said sleeve than on the other side thereof, said section of greater area 'of said port extending for an appreciable distance inwardly oi' said sleeve; and means for moving said sleeves.

7. ln an internal combustion engine, the combination with a cylinder` having intake and exhaust ports spaced axially of the cylinder, the exhaust port being disposedy at the outer end of the cylinder; a piston working within the cylinder; a sleeve movably mountedv within the cylinder and having` a port adapted to register alternately intake and exhaust ports; of a sleeve slid-l ably mounted within said cylinder and provided with a port common to both intake and exhaust; a second sleeve slidably telescoped within the first named sleeve and also having a port common to both intake and exhaust, and adapted to communicate with the port of the iirst named sleeve; and means projecting into the second named sleeve and having an edge adapt-ed to co-` operate with the port of the last named sleeve to establish communication between the exhaust port and the interior of the cylinder and close communication of the intake port and the interior of the cylinder, said means being adapted to overlap the port of the last named .sleeve during expansion and compression; a piston working within the last named sleeve;iand means cooperating with the piston and with the respective sleeves for, operating the latter, said last named means operating to move the first named sleeve in direction opposite to the movement of the piston during the intake stroke.

In witness that I claim the foregoing l have hereunto subscribed my name this 27th day of February, 1923.

SCI-IUYLER N. NOLAN; 

